Volunteer Voices August 2015
Murfreesboro group continues working on their silent auction basket for this year’s Ride for Refuge and on plans for their family fun event called Praying in Color. Volunteers are excitedly gathering items for their food and rescue care kits; Malinda donated some hair straighteners for survivors and Kadi donated a gift card for Target. The team also discussed ways to remember to record their exercise for the #ESTN15 campaign and volunteers hours more consistently.
The Brentwood group hosted special guest Angela Shofner, ESTN Volunteer Manager,who talked about new volunteer policies and the value of recording volunteer hours. She also gave survivor updates. Jamie Corwin,gave the group an update of the bill signing by Governor Haslam. Other action points discussed included the #ESTN15 campaign to benefit ESTN from everyone’s hard workouts, announcements about American Jewelry’s awareness and donation campaign, gathering gift card donations for their Ride for Refuge silent auction basket and other R4R information, and announcing updated needs list items.
The Mt. Juliet group conducted a community education event at the Donelson Farmer's Market. Volunteers from the group were present along with Emily Landham from Branded Collective. The group sold some ESTN products and engaged visitors in conversation about the mission of ESTN and reality of human trafficking here in our communities. They had a good night even though they got rained on a bit!
Some new folks joined the Franklin group for their July meeting, and were privileged to have Angela Shofner visit to give updates and talk about events at the ESTN office. Education team leader, Marissa, provided a handout entitled “Why Doesn’t She Just Leave?” which outlines the many ways that traffickers manipulate and control victims. The group also collected funds and gift cards to purchase athletic shoes for 3 survivors. Other topics discussed were Ride for Refuge, #ESTN15 and an outing to Thistle Farms Café.
The Spring Hill group did some major planning at their July meeting. The group discussed plans for a car wash later this summer, teaming up with Branded Collective to host an awareness booth at the local Spring Hill farmer's market, donating gift cards to help support the growing need for immediate care for all the new ESTN referrals, and also preparing for the Ride for Refuge.